Tamil Nadu Panniandi Sangam v. The Secretary To The Government

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 22-04-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE S. M. SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Tamil Nadu Panniandi Sangam Registered No.67/94, Rep. By Its President, 128/98I, 1 st Cross Street, Annanagar, Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Secretary To The Government Adi-Dravidar And Tribal Welfare Department, St. George Fort, Chennai-600 009.

2.The Director Of Adi-Dravidar Welfare Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

3.The District Collector

4.The Revenue Divisional Officer Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

5.The Thasildhar Karimangalam, Dharmapuri District.

6.The Thasildhar Palacode, Respondent(s) PRAYER directing the 5th and 6th respondents to follow anthropology survey of India book published in 1994 by the K.S.Singh people of India series on petitioner's Panniandi Culture and to take action on letter No. Naa. Kaa. 8488/2023/Ko3 Dated 10.04.2023 for issuance of Panniandi SC Certificates in Karimangalam and Palacode Taluks.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.M.Ravi For Respondent(s):

Mr. Vadivelu Deenadayalan AGP

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by S.M.Subramaniam J.) The writ of mandamus has been instituted to direct the respondents 5 and 6 to follow Anthropology Survey of India book published in 1994 by the K.S.Singh "The People of India" series, regarding the petitioner's Panniandi

culture, and to take action on Letter No. Naa. Kaa. 8488/2023/Ko3 dated April 10, 2023, for the issuance of Panniandi SC certificates in Karimangalam and Palacode Taluks.

2. The omnibus prayer sought in the writ petition by a Sangam registered under the Societies Registration Act is not entertainable. The issuance of a community certificate relates to an individual who belongs to a particular community. An aggrieved person alone may file an application seeking the issuance of a community certificate. A Sangam cannot seek a general prayer directing the respondents to follow a particular course of action.

3. It is needless to state that the competent authorities are bound to follow the procedures as well as the law in force for the issuance of community certificates.

4. With these observations, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. (S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J.)(K.RAJASEKAR J.) 22-04-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes Jeni

To 1.The Secretary To The Government Adi-dravidar And Tribal Welfare Department, St.George Fort, Chennai600 009.

2.The Director Of Adi-dravidar Welfare Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.

3.The District Collector 4.The Revenue Divisional Officer Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri District.

5.The Thasildhar Karimangalam, Dharmapuri District.

6.The Thasildhar Palacode, Dharmapuri District.

S.M.SUBRAMANIAM J.

AND K.RAJASEKAR J.

Jeni 22-04-2025